49ers Focus on Defense in Draft

Nancy Gay, Chronicle Staff Writer

Published 4:00 am, Monday, April 19, 1999

In the end, the 49ers wanted what they could not have and settled for what they really need.

Sure, it would have been sweet to land a franchise quarterback such as Cade McNown, or a top passer along the lines of Tulane's Shaun King or Ohio State's Joe Germaine in the two-day NFL draft. But when it came time for general manager Bill Walsh to pull the trigger on the 49ers' future, he knew it was better to think short-term.

And that, as everyone knows, had to be defense all the way.

Unable to trade up significantly in the first round without a second- round pick as bait, the 49ers managed to inch forward three spots and grab a projected starter at defensive tackle, 6-foot-1, 307-pound bruiser Reggie McGrew from Florida. That helps relieve the hole left by injured Bryant Young, for now.

Looking ahead to life without retired pass-rusher Chris Doleman, in the third round the 49ers snapped up Purdue defensive end Chike Okeafor (pronounced CHEE-kay o- KEE-for), a talented player who might have been a first-round selection if not for the season-long suspension he served in 1997 for violating team rules.

Both McGrew and Okeafor are players the 49ers figure can help them right away. And as the prize quarterbacks were plucked off the board, it looks more and more like Jeff Garcia will become the successor to Steve Young, with beleaguered Jim Druckenmiller still hanging around with a clipboard.

"He's on the squad. He's with us," said Walsh, in a less-than-ringing endorsement of the former first-rounder.

There was speculation that the 49ers gambled and lost with their two fourth-round picks, selecting 6-1, 200-pound cornerback Anthony Parker from Weber State at No. 99 overall with the hope the coveted Germaine would still be around when they picked again at No. 110.

St. Louis ended up grabbing Germaine with the 101st pick.

"We felt that was a must-pick (for the Rams)," player personnel director Terry Donahue said. "At the time, quite frankly, we just had to take a corner. We didn't think there was any option for us."

And Walsh reiterated once again his affinity for Garcia, the former San Jose State star.

"We like Jeff Garcia. We feel that he's more ready and able to play this year than most of the quarterbacks drafted," said Walsh, citing Garcia's four years of Canadian Football League experience.

Walsh then consummated a draft-day trade made late Saturday, when he dealt starting fullback Marc Edwards to Cleveland in exchange for the Browns' fourth- round choice, the 110th overall.

With that pick, the 49ers chose Virginia Tech defensive back Pierson Prioleau, a versatile player who has played free safety, strong safety and even linebacker in his career.

In the fifth round, the 49ers settled on Florida running back Terry Jackson. Jackson impressed Walsh as a solid citizen (he's student body vice president) and as a player who could provide insurance as a backup to Garrison Hearst, who's out with a broken leg. They also picked up offensive tackle Tyrone Hopson, a 6-2, 305-pound lineman from Eastern Kentucky in the same round.

Then the 49ers tossed the dice in the sixth round, taking talented wide receiver Tai Streets of Michigan, a player who might have been a low second-round pick had he not blown his Achilles tendon playing pickup basketball two weeks ago in Ann Arbor. He'll sit out a year to recover.

With their final pick, the 234th overall in the seventh round, the 49ers selected Notre Dame linebacker Kory Minor, a four-year starter who can back up Lee Woodall or move inside.

Walsh and Co. were working the phones last night, scrambling to sign the 20-25 undrafted free agents the team needs to fill out its training camp roster. In that, the 49ers expect to pick up some more defensive backs. The first group of signees included Geoff Wilson, an offensive lineman from Stanford.

And quarterback? Walsh said the team may add another via free agency. Whether he's legitimate or merely fodder remains to be seen.

"If we sign a veteran free agent, it'll be a statement, there's no question about it," Walsh said.

As usual, salary cap constraints figure into this. As long as wide receiver Terrell Owens -- tendered a one-year, $3.5 million contract as a franchise player -- remains unsigned, the 49ers have that entire amount tied up, hindering their ability to pursue veteran free agents. If Owens can come to terms soon on a long-term deal, the 49ers could have as much as $1.5 million to $2 million available.

THE NEW 49ERS

-- REGGIE MCGREW, defensive tackle, Florida, 6-1, 307 pounds. First round (24th overall). A three-year starter who declared early. ... Was named first-team All-SEC last season with 41 tackles. ... Has history of nagging injuries (back, sprained MCL in right knee). ... A fine run-stopper who can fill in for injured Bryant Young.

-- CHIKE OKEAFOR, defensive end, Purdue, 6-4, 248 pounds. Third round (89th overall). A quick pass rusher, will pair nicely with Charles Haley, should he return. ... Dropped to third round because of a full-season suspension in '97 for violating team rules. ... Also has an arrest for marijuana possession.

-- TAI STREETS, wide receiver, Michigan, 6-1, 190 pounds. Sixth round, (171st overall). Not a need for the 49ers, but a pick for the future. ... Great talent who might have been a low 2nd-round pick, if not for a torn Achilles suffered two weeks ago in a pickup basketball game. ... Will sit out the season and rehab.

-- KORY MINOR, linebacker, Notre Dame, 6-1, 247 pounds. Seventh round (234th overall). A four-year starter at outside linebacker. ... Started in 43 of 44 career games. ... Projected as a backup to Lee Woodall, or could move inside. ... Lack of size is a concern.